1 Timothy 3:10
in 1 Timothy 3Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.
KJV
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
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This verse in 1 Timothy 3
Commentary
13 notes on this verseFor, since it is written, "That one should first be proved, and so minister" (1 Tim. iii. 10), much more ought he first to be proved who is taken as an intercessor for the people, lest bad priests should become the cause of the people's ruin. There can therefore be no excuse, no defence against this, since it is clearly known to all how solicitous about diligent attention to this matter is the holy and excellent teacher, who forbids that a novice should accede to sacred orders (1 Tim. iii.).
This site's exposition
Likewise must the deacons be grave
on 1 Timothy 3:8-10
The deacons receive their own list, likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, the same temptations named for overseers now guarded against in a second office, the servant title Acts 6:1-6 traces to the Jerusalem church's first relief crisis. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience ties doctrine and life together again, a deacon's service resting on the same gospel an overseer teaches even where his public teaching role differs. Let these also first be proved sets a probation before office, earned by tested character rather than granted on a first impression.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being blameless. And let these also first be tested. Just as, Paul says, the bishops, so that they may not be beginners. …
A commentator
Augustine of HippoAGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 1.14.28 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
But none could rightly be ordained a minister in the Church if the apostle had said, "If any is without sin," where he says, "If any is without crime;" or if he had said, "Having no sin," where he says, "Having no crime." Because many baptized believers are without crime, but I should say that no one in this life is without sin,—however much the Pelagians are inflated, and burst asunder in madness against me because I say this: not because there remains anything of sin which is not remitted in baptism; but because by us who remain in the weakness of this life such sins do not cease daily to be committed, as are daily remitted to those who pray in faith and work in mercy. This is the soundness of the catholic faith, which the Holy Spirit everywhere sows,—not the vanity and presumption of spirit of heretical pravity.
And here he requires, though in other words, that he be "not a novice," where he says, "Let these also first be proved," where the conjunction "also" is added, as connecting this with what had been said before of Bishops, for nothing intervenes between. And there is the same reason for the "not a novice" in that case. For would it not be absurd, that when a newly purchased slave is not entrusted with anything in a house, till he has by long trial given proofs of his character, yet that one should enter into the Church of God from a state of heathenism, and be at once placed in a station of preeminence?
Appoint, therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. Despise them not therefore, for they are your honoured ones, together with the prophets and teachers.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then when he says, and let these also first be proved, and so let them minister, he shows how they should be examined. For someone might say: I consider all men good; for this ought to be in your character. But for their promotion all …
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
Just as, he says, regarding the bishop I required that he not be a recent convert, so I require that these also not be admitted to the ministry without having been tested, but only after having been sufficiently tested and found to be blameless—just as …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And let these also first be proved,....
It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Let these - be proved - Let them not be young converts, or persons lately brought to the knowledge of the truth. This is the same in spirit with what is required of the bishops, 1Ti 3:6. Let no man be put into an office in the Church till he has given full proof of his sincerity and steadiness, by having been for a considerable time a consistent private member of the Church. Being found blameless - Ανεγκλητοι οντες· Being irreproachable; persons against whom no evil can be proved.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
"And moreover," &c. [ALFORD]. be proved--not by a period of probation, but by a searching inquiry, conducted by Timothy, the ordaining president (1Ti 5:22), whether they be "blameless"; then when found so, "let them act as deacons." blameless--Greek, "unexceptionable"; as the result of public investigation unaccused [TITTMANN].
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And let these also first be proved - That is, tried or tested in regard to the things which were the proper qualifications for the office. This does not mean that they were to be employed as “preachers,” but that they were to undergo a proper trial in regard to their fitness for the office which they were to fill. They were not to be put into it without any opportunity of knowing what they were. It should be ascertained that they were grave, serious, temperate, trustworthy men; men who were sound in the faith, and who would not dishonor the office. It is not said here that there should be a “formal” trial, as if they were candidates for this office; but the meaning is, that they should have had an opportunity of making their character known, and should have gained such respect for their piety, and their other qualifications, that there would be reason to believe that they would perform the functions of the office well. Thus, in Act 6:3, when deacons were first appointed, the church was directed to “look out seven men of honest report,” who might be appointed to the office. Then let them use the office of a deacon - Let them be appointed to this office, and fulfil its duties. Being found blameless - If nothing can be alleged against their character see the notes on 1Ti 3:2.
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | Also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| οὗτοι | houtoi | these | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| δοκιμαζέσθωσαν | dokimazesthosan | they should be tested | G1381 → | |
| πρῶτον, | proton | first, | G4413 → | 152 times |
| εἶτα | eita | then | G1534 → | |
| διακονείτωσαν | diakoneitosan | they should serve | G1247 → | |
| ἀνέγκλητοι | anegkletoi | blameless | G410 → | |
| ὄντες.¶ | ontes | being. | G1510 → | 2333 times |
καὶAlso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
οὗτοιthese
houtoiG3778 →1381 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
δοκιμαζέσθωσανthey should be tested
dokimazesthosanG1381 →
πρῶτον,first,
protonG4413 →152 times
εἶταthen
eitaG1534 →
διακονείτωσανthey should serve
diakoneitosanG1247 →
ἀνέγκλητοιblameless
anegkletoiG410 →
ὄντες.¶being.
ontesG1510 →2333 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Timothy 3:2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
it leads to
- Titus 1:6–9
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
- Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- 1 Timothy 5:9
A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,
- 1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Titus 1:6–9
Through
1 Timothy 5:22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
it leads to
- Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- 1 Timothy 3:6
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
- 1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
- Ephesians 5:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies4
On this verse
About 1 Timothy
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 1.14.28; Didache, The Didache, Chapter 15; Gregory the Dialogist, Register of Epistles, Book 9, Epistle 106; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Timothy 11; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Timothy.